Electric connecting cord for photoflash units



May 29, 1956 M. SCHWARTZ ET AL 2,748,360

ELECTRIC CONNECTING CORD FOR PHOTOFLASH UNITS Filed March 5l, 1953 :lllgllg 2L.. 2, 24

INVENTORS MORRIS SCHWARTZ WILLIAM CASTEDELLO ATTORNEY K invention.

ELECTRIC CONNECTING CORD FOR PHOTOFLASH UNITS Morris Schwartz and William Castedello, Plainville, Conn., assignors to The Kalart Company Inc., Plainville, Conn.

Application March 31, 1953, Serial No. 345,910

9 Claims. (Cl. 339-31) The present invention relates to electric connecting cords, particularly to electric connecting cords for connecting a photoilash unit to a socket on the casing of a camera for operating the flash unit by actuating the release button of the camera.

Connecting cords of the general type above referred to have on one end a connecting member in form of a plug for insertion in the outlet of the flash unit and, on the other end, a connecting member for insertion in the outlet on the casing of the camera.

Different makes of cameras on the market have sockets different as to size and design. In practice, two types of casing sockets are now in general use. As a result,

.a photographer who wants to use the same flash unit which fits different types of casing sockets, so that the .photographer needs only a single connecting cord to connect his flash unit with different cameras.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved connecting cord with a connecting member suitable for insertion in casing sockets of different design and having an overall size not appreciably, if at all, larger than the size demanded by the largest casing socket which the connecting member of the cord will tit.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a` connecting cord the connecting member of which can be adapted for insertion in different casing sockets with o ut requiring a difficult assembly or disassembly of the connecting member and without the use of tools.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connectinjg cord the connecting member of which can be 'readied for insertion in different casing sockets by displacing two contact elements of the connecting member relative to each other and by retaining the contact element not in use in a position in which it does not interfere with the contact element in use.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth inthe appended claims forming part of the application.

' In the accompanying drawing a now preferred embodi- `ment ofthe invention is shown by way of illustration andnot by way of limitation.

.In thedr'awing:

' Fig. 41 is a view of a connecting cord according to the Fig. 2 is a View taken in the direction of line`2-2 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale, the plug member of the cord being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a sectional exploded view of components of the connecting member forming a plug for insertion of one type of casing socket.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4*-4 of Fig. 2 and showing the components of Fig. 3 in assembly.

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section of components of the connecting member forming a plug for insertion in a second type of casing socket.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a View partly in section of the entire connecting member of the cord showing the components thereof in one predetermined relative position, and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the components of the connecting member in a different relative position.

Referring now to the figures in detail, the connecting cord, as completely shown in Fig. l, comprises the wire cord proper, generally designated by 10, a plug generally designated by 11 for insertion in the socket of the flash unit and a connecting member generally designated by 12 designed to fit two different types of sockets on the casing of a camera. The casing sockets are not shown v or described, as they are presumed to be of a conventional design. It sufces to state that they should be visualized as fitting the two types of plugs formed by connecting member 12 and more fully described hereinafter.

Plug 11 is shown as comprising two contact pins 13 mounted in a slotted shell 14 made of rubber or similar flexible insulation material. Instead of the plug as shown, any other suitable plug may be used. The plug itself does not constitute part of the invention and should be presumed to be conventional, with the exception of its conical part 15 faired into cord 10. The purpose of this conical part will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Cord 10 may be a cord in form of two insulated wires disposed side by side and joined together by the insulation. However, the use of coaxial conductors is preferred and such conductors are shown.

According to Figs. 3 and 4, the cord comprises a core wire V16, generally a stranded wire, and a tubular wire 17, preferably also stranded or braided. Core wire 16 is insulated from wire 17 and held in position by an inner sleeve 18 made of flexible insulation material and `wire 17 is insulated by an outer sleeve 19 also made of flexible insulation material.

, As can best be seen on Figs. 3 and 4, connecting member 12 comprises a contact pin 2@ and a slotted metal sleeve 21. Pin 2t) constitutes one terminal and slotted contact sleeve 21 a second terminal of the connecting member 12. The pin is secured or preferably integral with a fastening lug in form of a sleeve 22. The blank end of core wire 16 is inserted in this sleeve and secured therein by any suitable means, such as crimping, as is indicated in Fig. 4 by showing a crimping groove 23.

Slotted sleeve 21 is secured to or preferably integral with a metal sleeve 24, the outer wall of which is formed with two annular grooves 25 and 26 axially spaced from each other. Sleeve 24 fits upon cord 10 with a tight fit and is electrically connected with wire 17 by removing part of the insulation sleeve 19 adjacent to groove 26 and crimping the portion of sleeve 24 forming the base of groove 26 at 27, as can best be seen in Fig. 4.

Pin 20, or rather its sleeve 22, is fixed in its position coaxially with sleeves 21 and 24 by an insulation sleeve 28 preferably made of molded plastic.

The aforementioned parts of the assembly are preferably further secured in position by an insulation disc 29 fitted in sleeve 24 between the inner end of sleeve 22 and the forward end of wire 17 and the two layers of insulation material of the cord. Insulation sleeve 28 may further be fixed in position by a crimping groove 30, as can best be seen in Fig. 4.

As appears from the previous description, the assembly so far described constitutes a plug with terminals in form of Vpin 20 and slotted sleeve 21 which can be tted in a casing socket having terminals of corresponding configuration.

The connecting member 12 further comprises a socket sleeve generally designated by 35. This sleeve has a smooth forward part 36 designed for insertion in the socket of the camera casting and provided for this purpose with L-shaped bayonet slots 37 and a rear part 38 preferably milled or knurled to facilitate manipulation of sleeve 35. Outer sleeve 35 is axially slideable on inner sleeve 24 with a lit suciently tight to establish electric connection of sleeve 35 with sleeve A24 and, hence, with the outer cord wire 17.

Sleeve 35 is provided with retaining means for retaining the sleeve 35 in either one of two predetermined positions relative to inner sleeve 24. These retaining means are s hown as comprising a nose 39 protruding through an opening 40 in sleeve portion 3S and engageable with either one of the annular grooves 25 and 26 in Sleeve 24. Nose 39 is secured to a leaf spring 4.1 attached at one end to sleeve portion 38 and preferably iitted in an axial recess 42 provided in sleeve portion 38 for this purpose. The free end of spring 41 is bent to form a .ring loop 43 in which is fitted an actuating ring 44. As can best be seen in Fig. 6, the ring 44 is slightly flattened and its maximum diameter is such that the ring appreiably protrudes from the outer diameter of knurled Sleeve portion 38. Ring 44 is retained in a position substantially transversely to sleeve 35 by means of a collar 45 on sleeve portion 36.

vIt will be evident from the previous description that outer sleeve 35 together with pin 20 forms a second plug when sleeve 35 is in metallic engagement with Sleeve 24. It will further be apparent that the plug formed 'by sleeve 35 and pin 20 has a larger inner diameter than the plug formed by sleeve 21 and pin 20, and that the overall size of connecting member 12 is not appreciably increased by the fact that this connecting member incorporates two different plugs.

The outer sleeve 35 can be placed on sleeve 24 either in the position of Fig. 7 or the position of Fig. 8. In the position of Fig. l the outer sleeve is entirely separated from the inner sleeve.

To avoid a sliding of the outer sleeve on cord and a possible damage either to the sleeve or to parts of the camera, the sleeve can be retained in a xed position by pushing sleeve portion 38 against the conical portion of plug 11 which will frictionally retain the sleeve. According to Fig. 7, nose 39 engages the forward groove 25 of the inner sleeve 24 and, according to Fig. 8, the rear groove 26. As will be noted in Fig. 7, the receiving end of slotted sleeve 21 is deeply withdrawn, whereas in Fig. 8 the receiving end of sleeve 21 is substantially ush with the receiving end of sleeve 35.

When the casing socket is of the type fitting the plug formed by sleeve 24 and pin 20, outer sleeve 35 is placed either into a position entirely disengaged from sleeve 24 or in the position of Fig. 8, depending upon the specificdesign of the casing socket. Similarly, when the casing socket fits the plug formed by sleeve 35 and pin 20, the outer sleeve 35 is placed either in the position of Fig. 7 or Fig. 8, again depending upon the specific design of the casing socket.

For the purpose of moving outer sleeve 35 relative to the inner sleeve, the photographer simply presses with a finger against the end of ring 44 opposite to loop 43. .A S a result, nose 39 is lifted out of the engaged v.groove 2.5 or .26, thereby permitting a Sliding movement of sleeve 35 onsleeve 24.

While Athe invention has been ,described ,in etail with respect to .a certain now preferred example and embodiment of the invention, it will be understood by `those skilled in the art after Yunderstan ding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A connecting cord for connecting a photoflash unit with a socket on the casing of a ,photographic Camera, the said cord comprising two electric wires electrically insulated from each other, a first terminal element in form of an inner contact sleeve permanently connected with one of said wires, a second terminal element in form of a contact pin permanently connected with the other wire and iixedly disposed within said sleeve coaxially therewith and electrically insulated therefrom, a third terminal element in form of an outer contact sleeve coaxially slideable upon said inner sleeve into electric contact therewith, and retaining means for releasably retaining said outer sleeve in a predetermined position relative to said inner sleeve and in electric contact therewith, the said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an inner plug and the said outer sleeve when in said predetermined position and the said contact pin forming an outer plug, the said plugs being selectively insertable in corresponding sockets on the camera casing.

2. A connecting cord for connecting a photoash unit with a socket on the casing of a photographic camera, the said cord comprising a two-wire coaxial cable, a rst terminal element in form of an inner contact sleeve permanently connected with the outer one of said cable wires, a second terminal element 1n form of a contact pin permanently connected with the inner wire of the cable and fixedly disposed within said sleeve coaxially therewith and electrically insulated therefrom, a third terminal element in form of an outer contact sleeve coaxially slideable upon said inner sleeve into and out of electric contact therewith, and retaining means for releasably retaining said `outer sleeve in a predetermined position relative to said inner sleeve and in electric contact therewith, the said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an inner plug and the said outer sleeve when in said predetermined position and the said contact pin forming an outer plug, the said plugs being selectively insertable in corresponding sockets on the camera casing.

3. A connecting cord for connecting a photoflash unit with a socket on the casing of a photographic camera, the said cord comprising two electric wires electrically insulated from each other, an inner contact sleeve permanently connected with one of said wires, the said sleeve being formed with at least one circumferential groove in its outer wall, a contact pin permanently connected with the other wire and fixedly disposed within said sleeve coaxially therewith and electrically insulated therefrom, an outer contact sleeve coaXially slideable upon said inner sleeve, and retaining means for releasably retaining said outer sleeve in a predetermined position relative to said inner sleeve, said retaining means comprising a locking nose releasably engageable with said groove, the said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an inner plug and the said outer sleeve when in contact with said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an outer plug, the said plugs being selectively insertable in corresponding sockets on the camera casing.

4. A connecting cord for connecting a photoash unit with a socket on the casing of a photographic camera, the said cord comprising a two-wire coaxial cable, an inner contact sleeve permanently connected with the Outer one of said cable wires, the said sleeve being formed with at least one circumferential groove in its outer wall, a Contact pin permanently connected with the inner wire and Yxedly disposed within said sleeve coaxially therewith and electrically insulated therefrom, an outer contact sleeve coaxially slideable upon said inner sleeve, and retaining means for releasably retaining said outer sleeve in a predetermined position relative to said inner VJ-m sleeve, said retaining means comprising a locking nose extending from said outer sleeve and releasably engageable with said groove in the inner sleeve, spring means on the outer sleeve biasing said nose into engagement with said groove, actuating means coacting with said spring means for biasing the latteiinto a position in which said nose is withdrawn from the groove, the said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an inner plug and the said outer sleeve when in contact with said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an outer plug, the said plugs being selectively insertable in corresponding sockets on the camera casing.

5. A connecting cord according to claim 4, wherein the said actuating means comprise a generally ring-shaped member encompassing with play the outer sleeve for detlecting said springmeans into a position withdrawing said nose by a displacement of the ring member transversely to said outer sleeve.

6. A connecting cord according to claim 5, wherein wherein ange means on the outer sleeve retain said ring member in a position substantially transverse to said sleeve.

7. A connecting cord according to claim 4, wherein the said inner sleeve includes a slotted receiving portion and the said outer sleeve includes a receiving portion having an L-shaped bayonet slot.

8. A connecting cord for connecting a photoflash unit with a socket on the casing of a photographic camera, the said cord comprising two electric wires electrically insulated from each other, a two-pole plug connected to said wires at one end thereof, said plug having a shell conically faired into said wires, an inner contact sleeve permanently connected with the other end of one of said wires, a contact pin permanently connected with the other end of the second wire and xedly disposed within said sleeve coaxially therewith and electrically insulated therefrom, an outer contact sleeve slideable upon said inner sleeve and said wires, and retaining means for releasably retaining said outer sleeve in a predetermined position relative to said inner sleeve, the said outer sleeve being further slideable into frictional engagement with said conical shell portion for releasably retaining the outer sleeve in a iixed position on wires, the said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an inner plug and the said outer sleeve when in contact with said inner sleeve and the said contact pin forming an outer plug, the said plugs being selectively insertable in corresponding sockets on the camera casing.

9. A connecting cord according to claim 4, wherein the said outer wire of the coaxial cable is encased in a layer of insulation material, and wherein the said inner sleeve is tightly tted upon said outer layer, the said insulation layer including an opening uncovering part of said outer cable wire and the said inner sleeve being in metallic contact with said uncovered part of the outer cable wire.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,377,410 Douglas May 10, 1921 

